How Forbes Travel Guide Is Redefining Luxury in 2025—One Star at a Time

Forbes Travel Guide is one brand that hasn’t lost its authority in a digital world where influencers overflow timelines with carefully chosen hotel stays and five-star reviews are frequently given out like candy. It establishes standards rather than following trends.

FTG was founded in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide, and since then, it has established a reputation for being incredibly successful at guiding tourists through the maze of options. What’s its secret? a highly impartial, covert inspection method that is immune to sponsorship or advertising bias.

Informational Table

Category	Details
Name	Forbes Travel Guide
Founded	1958 (as Mobil Travel Guide)
CEO	Hermann Elger
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Coverage	Over 2,100 hotels, restaurants, spas, cruises across 90+ countries
Inspection Method	Anonymous inspectors, 900+ objective criteria
Notable 2025 Awards	Edge List, Retail Collaboration, Experience Collaboration, Dart Ownership
Recent Expansion	BOND CO.LAB for luxury partnerships
Official Website	forbestravelguide.com

Reliable Ratings: Accuracy Above Popularity

FTG’s star system is brilliant because it is restrained. Forbes uses qualified evaluators, whereas review platforms inundate you with opinions, some of which are genuine and others dubious. These experts observe discreetly, keep meticulous records, and check in anonymously.

They find not only the big gestures but also the small ones, like the speed at which your room service arrives, the warmth of the concierge’s smile, or the aroma in the lobby, by analyzing up to 900 criteria. These are stories that have been carefully crafted; they are more than just notes.

2025 and Later: A New Perspective on Hospitality

FTG redefined excellence at the 2025 Summit in Monaco, rather than merely honoring it. CEO Hermann Elger announced four new awards, ranging from experiential branding initiatives to luxury retail partnerships. These additions are relevant because they address a luxury market where it is becoming harder to distinguish between fashion, travel, and narrative.

For instance, Ritz Paris and FRAME collaborated to create upscale heritage sportswear. The collection, which is particularly fashionable and features the hotel’s iconic crest, has already been featured in photos taken all over the world and worn by Hailey Bieber. It’s a statement rather than just a piece of merchandise.

An Examination of This Year’s Audacious Winners: Ice, Islands, and Immersion

FTG recently unveiled The Edge List, which honors locations that combine luxury and unique experiences. The world’s first luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, received recognition for fusing butler service, Alain Ducasse-curated cuisine, and Arctic exploration.

On the other hand, Indonesia’s NIHI Sumba astounded with its immersive jungle-based programming, which included swimming with wild Sumba horses and surfing unspoiled waves. These winners point to a change in traveler preferences: luxury is not enough. They desire change.

Atlantis and Louis Vuitton Take the Stage: Fashion Meets Function

Atlantis The Royal in Dubai was one of the most inventive moments from the awards. In collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the resort placed ten-foot statues of “Vivienne,” the brand’s mascot, in imaginative displays throughout the grounds. Like Easter eggs, guests discovered them—one taking selfies, the other sporting Pharrell Williams x LV sunglasses.

Yes, it’s whimsical, but it’s also incredibly strategic, turning passive luxury into lighthearted engagement. These partnerships are not products, but rather contemporary mementos ingrained in memory.

Putting Money Into Silent Power: Dart’s Ascent

The first Ownership Group of the Year award from FTG was given to Dart, a development company that has been subtly accumulating a portfolio of some of the most renowned resorts in the world. Open design, environmental awareness, and long-term planning are key components of Dart’s philosophy, which is evident in everything from The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to the brand-new Evermore Orlando Resort.

Their strategy has proven to be incredibly resilient, demonstrating that subtlety frequently creates the strongest foundations.

Honoring Legends: Alain Ducasse Celebrates His Flavorful Life

The Award of Excellence by Baccarat given to culinary tycoon Alain Ducasse was the Summit’s last high point. Some of the best kitchens on different continents have been impacted by Ducasse’s unrelenting innovation and strategic mentoring.

Peers like Daniel Boulud and Eric Ripert paid their respects, highlighting a timeless truth in luxury: greatness is defined by people, not just properties.

A Framework for the Hospitality Industry of the Future

FTG provides more than just suggestions for tourists seeking clarity in a crowded marketplace. It provides comfort. A Forbes star is a unique indication that a hotel, restaurant, or spa has undergone testing—not just a taste test or social media tag, but an actual experience and verification.

FTG is bringing the luxury space to a new level of humanity, creativity, and immersion by fusing strict standards with daring, progressive projects like BOND CO.LAB.

FAQs

Who owns Forbes Travel Guide?
It’s an independent company and not directly owned by Forbes magazine, though it licenses the Forbes brand.

What does it take to earn a Five-Star rating?
Properties must meet hundreds of service and facility standards with consistently exceptional performance.

How are inspections conducted?
Anonymously, using objective criteria. Inspectors stay at each property and evaluate it as a typical guest.

Are there any new initiatives for 2025?
Yes, including the Edge List for adventure travel, BOND CO.LAB for brand partnerships, and new awards recognizing collaborations and leadership.